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The Ethic of Reciprocity
Okay, so everyone knows the Golden Rule: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Christian or not, most of us have heard it since we were kids and have some version of it committed to memory. Somewhere in our hearts, subconscious, or wherever we store this kind of thing, we know that we’re all supposed to subscribe to and practice the ethic of reciprocity.
Supposed to.
Well, I’ve been thinking about the G.R. lately—about this whole reciprocity thing—and I’m getting pretty cranked up about it. I’ll tell you what I mean in my next post; in the meantime, I ask that you read this web page and just reflect a little on the implications contained therein.
What you’ll find is that the Golden Rule of Christianity has its cousins in Bahá'í World Faith, Brahmanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Ancient Egyptian, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Native American Spirituality, Roman Pagan Religion, Shinto, Sikhism, Sufism, Taoism, Unitarian, Wicca, Yoruba, and Zoroastrianism.
Seems like we all agree that this is a good thing.
As to what we do with it as Extreme Leaders, well, I’ve got a few thoughts…
How ‘bout you?
Posted by steve at 07.19.2006 | Comments (3)
Comments: The Ethic of Reciprocity
Thanks for the link! I've always heard that the distinctive of Jesus' statement is that it's a positive (i.e. "DO to others what you would like them to DO to you" as opposed to "DON'T DO what you wouldn't want them doing to you."). Is that the direction you're going? Kind of a pay-it-forward arrangement?
mark
Posted by mark at July 19, 2006 04:44 PM
Wow - my head is spinning with all the implications of this website. It reminds me of a conversation I had yesterday with a coaching friend of mine who spoke about life coaching to a group in the Bible Belt and got hate e-mails from some of the attendees because she said in her talk that "all people are are naturally creative, resourceful and whole" and that coaching supports people in "finding the answers within themselves." The e-mailers were angry because they believe that only with Christ (Jesus) can we say that. They implied that she was being blasphemous and some of them stopped coming to the group at which she was speaking. This almost sounds more like the Satanistic view, according to the website: "respond with kindness to those who deserve it, and respond with vengeance to those who attack. That is, a Satanist should react to the treatment given by others by responding to them in the same way."
I'll be interested to hear about your ideas related to Extreme Leadership. Maybe it's not about reciprocity at all. Maybe it's more about doing - and being - what we know according to Universal Truth to be effective. Maybe it's not about "right" and "wrong" at all, but more about what works (over the long run) and what doesn't. How does this action make me feel? Shouldn't we as Extreme Leaders simply do (and BE) more of what feels good - deep down - at the heart level - and less of what feels bad?
Does this then support the theory of inherent good over inherent evil? Wow, this is a whole new topic now. Stop me before I think too much!
Can't wait to hear your ideas!
Jodee
Posted by Jodee Bock at July 20, 2006 02:25 PM
Thanks for the link. I love that it points us to the place where we are all more alike than different, especially in light of the ongoing and tragic conflicts going on in the world in the name of religion.
Certainly on a macro level, using the Golden Rule in our relationships at home, in organizations, and in the geo-political arenas creates a basic structure for dialogue and understanding to happen. And the real opportunity to grow ourselves in relationships and as leaders is in learning to treat other people how THEY want to be treated.
In my work, as an organization, relationship and systems coach we do an interesting exercise where we ask participants to step into the point of view of another as if they are visiting a foreign land and to really explore. I am forever amazed at the different perceptions, needs, wants, wishes, and experiences of different players. To get to my finer point, sometimes treating others how we want to be treated is more of the problem than a solution because we are operating with the assumption that others are like us when in fact, we are all unique.
Yes, let's start by using that good old Golden Rule and then let's lead our families, our companies, and our communities to the place of learning to understand others and treat them how THEY want to be treated.
With much respect,
Lora Banks, CPCC
lora@TheCoachApproach.net
www.TheCoachApproach.net
Posted by Lora Banks at July 24, 2006 02:55 PM